Washington State Judge Reprimanded for Refusing to Perform Gay Marriage

A judge in Washington State has been reprimanded by the state's Judicial Conduct Commission for publicly stating that he would not officiate at a same-sex wedding. Washington residents legalized homosexual marriage via a state referendum late last year. Shortly before the vote Thurston County Superior Court Judge Gary Tabor told colleagues that he was uncomfortable with the idea of officiating at same-sex partnering ceremonies and asked if other judges would perform them in his place, according to SeattlePI.com. â€śHis comments were leaked to the press,â€ť the news site reported, â€śand Tabor reiterated his position in interviews, saying it was a personal religious objection and not an official stance of the court.â€ť

While judges in the state aren't required to officiate at weddings, the State Judicial Commission admonished Tabor that, because he had a record of officiating at traditional weddings,...